On the first sweltering day of summer, Lauren Lynde, her husband, and their 2-year-old golden retriever, Wally, embarked on a canoe trip to cool off. They chose to paddle out to one of the islands on Hickory Hills Lake in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, unaware that they were about to experience a heartwarming and unexpected encounter.
Wally, like many golden retrievers, adores swimming. Once he’s in the water, it’s nearly impossible to coax him out. “Typically, we throw him sticks or his ball to fetch, but he also enjoys swimming in circles by himself, which is quite amusing,” Lynde shared with The Dodo. Wally even sports a small shark life vest while swimming, adding to his charm as he paddles through the water. It’s evident that water is Wally’s happy place.
However, this day would prove to be different. While Wally was splashing around in the lake, Lynde spotted something unusual floating nearby. Initially, she thought it might be an otter or a large stick. But as she observed more closely, she realized it was not a stick at all. It was a woodchuck—and it was climbing onto Wally’s back!
“I couldn’t believe it,” Lynde recalled, still astonished by the strange sight. “Wally just looked at the woodchuck, began swimming back to shore, and the woodchuck hopped on his back. Wally didn’t mind at all. He just glanced over his shoulder a couple of times and kept swimming.”
The image of a woodchuck riding on a dog’s back was beyond anything Lynde could have envisioned. The woodchuck, likely seeking relief from the heat like everyone else, appeared completely unfazed by its unusual ride. And Wally, being the gentle and friendly dog he is, didn’t seem to mind one bit. He simply swam toward the shore with his unexpected passenger comfortably settled on him.
Lynde couldn’t help but ponder what had led the woodchuck to the water in the first place. Perhaps it was also trying to escape the heat. Whatever the reason, it was clear that Wally’s calm and affectionate demeanor had charmed the wild animal. “He loves every creature he meets,” Lynde said about her dog. “He especially adores little kids and will give them a kiss right on the face when he sees them. He’s the sweetest dog ever and gets along with everyone.”
When they finally reached the shore, the woodchuck seemed to express its gratitude. Just before hopping off Wally’s back, the two animals shared a touching moment. “He hopped off Wally’s back a little before they got to shore, and they looked at each other and touched their snouts together, almost like a farewell,” Lynde remembered. “The woodchuck ran up on shore, gave one last glance at Wally, and then scurried away while Wally returned to swimming.”
“I honestly couldn’t believe it,” Lynde added, still amazed by what she had witnessed. Woodchucks are generally shy and elusive, so it was surprising that this one felt so comfortable around Wally.
“I think Wally just radiates goodness, and maybe everyone can sense it,” Lynde remarked. “Even the animals.”
This unexpected meeting between Wally and the woodchuck serves as a beautiful reminder of the kindness and gentleness that animals can show to one another, even across species. It also highlights the incredible bond between humans and their pets, who, like Wally, can form meaningful connections with the natural world around them. For Lynde, the experience was nothing short of magical—a perfect moment of harmony between animal and nature.
The encounter also serves as a gentle reminder of the beauty of nature and the unexpected moments of joy that arise from being in the right place at the right time. It’s moments like these that emphasize the deep emotional connections between all living beings, whether human, animal, or wild. It’s clear that Wally, with his loving and gentle spirit, brings out the best in the world around him—just as this woodchuck experienced on that unforgettable summer day.
For Lynde, witnessing the friendship between Wally and the woodchuck left her in awe, reminding her of the goodness that still exists in the world—one that can be found in even the most unexpected and unlikely places. Whether it’s a dog’s gentle nature or a woodchuck’s bravery to trust, there is a beautiful bond that connects all creatures in moments of kindness and understanding. Sometimes, that bond is enough to create memories that last a lifetime.
